As the Memphis Grizzlies look toward the upcoming season, their current roster setup raises a few questions. Can the backcourt hold up when Ja Morant is on the bench? Will the lack of frontcourt depth be a problem right from the start? With the season approaching, the only solution might come from a trade—and the Grizzlies have some intriguing trade pieces if they decide to pursue this route. Marcus Smart – Savvy veteran whose timeline differs The Grizzlies made waves last season when they traded away Tyus Jones, one of their most reliable guards, in exchange for former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.
Smart, a beloved figure with the Boston Celtics, was brought in to hold down the fort during Ja Morant's suspension. However, his season was cut short by injury. Despite this, Smart’s numbers weren’t bad, though his three-point shooting took a hit.
This isn’t entirely surprising, as Smart has never been known as a reliable deep shooter. Smart turns 31 this season, which means he still has a few good years left, but his contract runs through the 2025-26 season, and he will likely command a raise after that. With a salary of $20,210,285 for this season and $21,586,856 for the next, Smart’s contract is highly tradeable for either a star player or a high-end role player.
If the Grizzlies feel confident in Morant’s health, Desmond Bane’s continued growth, and Scotty Pippen Jr.’s potential, trading Smart for a frontcourt player could be the right move. Wit.